CHICAGO -- A dramatic finish at Loyola Soccer Park gave Loyola Chicago a milestone victory, as the Ramblers defeated the Purdue Boilermakers, 1-0, for their first win ever over the Big Ten team on Sunday, Aug. 31 in the annual Pack the Park match. Midfielder Ansley Cryan netted the game-winner in the 90th minute on a cross from forward Zoe Hevey, and goalkeeper Allison Deardorff secured her fourth consecutive shutout after making just one stop against Purdue.  

The Ramblers improved to 3-1-1 overall after their first victory at home this season.

Coach Quotes: Jon Sandoval
"Adversity came to us in that second half, and I couldn't be prouder of the way that they responded, they met that challenge head on. I couldn't be prouder of that response and overall performance. It's important that we don't allow the highs to get too high; we've got work to do on the road. For now, it's okay to celebrate, but on Tuesday, we got to get back to work."

"Having that first goal overturned before we finally finished was a range of emotions; it's a gut punch then pure ecstasy afterwards. We can't be any happier for them because it's always a difficult moment when the game is taken away from you unfairly, and we deserved to win today. The game has a way of evening out, and sometimes the ball doesn't lie."

How it Happened

• Loyola controlled the run of play throughout the match, creating a 19-4 edge in total shots and a 9-1 advantage in on-target shots. Purdue's keeper Emily Edwards made eight saves, including five critical stops in the first half. 
• The Ramblers had a goal overturned in the second half after the referees reviewed the play and called it offsides. 
• With the match still scoreless deep into the closing moments, Cryan got her first shot off in the 86th minute, one of three saved by Edwards, who could not deny the Ramblers decisive strike in the final minute. 
• Set up by Hevey, Cryan delivered the breakthrough in the 90th minute, burying her first goal of the season at the 89:26 mark, sending Loyola's bench and fans into an uproar of celebration.
• Defensively, the Ramblers' back line, anchored by Deardorff, stayed solid from start to finish, limiting the Boilermakers to only four shots, one of which was on target. 

Inside the Box Score

• The historic victory marks Loyola's first win over a Big Ten team since 2017, when the Ramblers defeated Iowa for the first time ever, and its first Power Four win since 2019 when the Maroon and Gold upset Mizzou on the road. 
• Cryan's goal was the second of her career while Hevey's assist was her first this season and third overall. 
• With her fourth straight clean sheet, Deardorff now leads the Atlantic 10 in shutouts per game. 
• Loyola's 19 total shots is a team season high. 

Up Next
The Ramblers gear up for a three-match road trip, beginning at Illinois State on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.